The Other Guys

With the first wave of free agency over and done with, there are still a handful of players worth monitoring closely in dynasty leagues. This group has been deemed as too risky, too old or too injured to have been signed right away, so many of them will be forced to sign one -year, “prove it” deals. With teams looking to address needs through the upcoming draft as well, the market for many of these players simply dried up quickly. Meanwhile, dynasty league owners should take a wait and see approach with all these players instead of just cutting bait or trading them for less than market value. Let’s take a look at some of the players left and what situations could be best for their dynasty value.

Quarterbacks

Michael Vick

There may have never been a player with the highs and lows of Vick in dynasty leagues. When he’s healthy and clicking on all cylinders, few players can put up the fantasy points Vick can. Now 33 years old, Vick is searching for what would likely be his final shot at a starting job in the NFL. He still possesses elite athleticism and can flick it as well as just about anyone, but injuries and turnovers will always be his downfall.

Best Landing Spot: NY Jets

Josh Freeman

Freeman was an epic disaster last year after being being acquired by the Vikings. On the season, he played in just four games, completing just 42.9% of his passes and throwing for two touchdowns and four interceptions. His Monday Night Football start was one of the worst ever seen in fantasy or reality and it’s safe to say he’s regressed since an extremely bright start that included a season where he threw for 25 touchdowns and just six interceptions in Tampa Bay. Freeman (like Vick) is hoping to land a starting job, but there aren’t many to be had. At just 26, there’s still hope. The best thing going for Freeman may be the weak quarterback class entering the league.

Best Landing Spot: Oakland Raiders

Ryan Fitzpatrick

The Titans unbelievably have gone with Charlie Whitehurst as their backup to Jake Locker, leaving Fitzpatrick as the odd man out. At this point, we know what Fitzpatrick is (a decent backup) and what he is not (elite in any way). However, if he lands in a place with an unsettled quarterback situation, we’ve seen him be serviceable in dynasty leagues and put up some relatively decent numbers.

With every passing day, it seems more and more likely Moreno ends up back in Denver on a team friendly deal. After posting his first 1,000 yard rushing season and scoring 13 total touchdowns, you can bet each and every one of his owners hopes that happens. Face it, Moreno is worth much more in Denver playing with Manning than he would be anywhere else. Meanwhile, owners of Montee Ball continue to bite their fingernails.

Best Landing Spot: Denver Broncos

Maurice Jones-Drew

MJD has been a fantasy staple for the better part of the last eight seasons, but the reality is he turns 29 this month and his market is developing very slowly. After averaging a career low 3.4 yards per carry, many think he may have hit the wall. Regardless, there’s a chance Jones-Drew just had an off season, was still nicked up and struggled playing for a truly dreadful team. Time will tell, but MJD seems to be bigger in name than game at this point.

Best Landing Spot: NY Jets

LeGarrette Blount

Blount has has his fair share of ups and downs in his career, but last year was great as he posted 772 rushing yards on just 153 carries (five yards per carry) and took over as the lead back for New England late in the season. Unfortunately, the playoffs gave us exactly what we’ve come to expect from Patriot running backs – unpredictability. He had 166 yards and four touchdowns in New England’s Divisional Round win over the Colts, but only six yards on five carries against the Broncos in the AFC title game. Still, New England does like him and likely gives him the best shot at success in fantasy or reality.

Best Landing Spots: NY Jets, New England Patriots

Andre Brown

The oft-injured Brown was a fantasy dynamo in 2012, but really struggled last season with the Giants after breaking his leg in the preseason. He could be a nice, low-risk bargain for a team lacking for punch at the position. While he won’t get a starting job anywhere, there’s a chance he could carve out some playing time or be a decent injury replacement.

Calling Rice oft-injured is a slap in the face to anyone in a cast. Fact is, Rice is seemingly always hurt and can’t be counted on to be productive any longer. He’s been living on his “Favre Season” for much too long now. If he can get himself healthy and in game shape, the talent is still there. Just don’t hold your breath.

Holmes has worn out his welcome in New York and the Jets have finally cut bait with the former Super Bowl MVP. Holmes lacks big play ability and is likely getting more attention in dynasty leagues because of his name value, but there could be some moderate production (or sneaky trade value as a seller) here if he lands in the right spot.

Best Landing Spots: Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers

Kenny Britt

There are few players at any position on this list as talented as Britt, but he’s also deemed as damaged goods. He disappeared last season in Tennessee and seriously needs a new start. At just 25 years of age, there’s still time for Britt to resurrect his career, but it’s going to take a team with a good coaching staff and Britt himself being willing to work to get back into the lineup.

Seeing a theme here? Simply put, this is a bad year to be a receiver on the market who has a history of injuries. Austin will likely continue to have hamstring issues moving forward, but he still does possess some talent and ability to make a difference for a team.

Best Landing Spots: Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks

Tight Ends

Jermichael Finley

Finley (neck) still hasn’t been cleared to play after his scary injury last season. If he can return to form, he could prove to be a serious bargain for a team out there – Finley is one of the few true game breakers on this list.

Ken is a corporate trainer by day an a tireless editor of dynasty content by night. His passion for the World Champion Seattle Seahawks is second only to his love of fantasy football and the dynasty format.

Moore is going to have value wherever he lands, but at age 30, his best days are behind him. He seems destined to be a WR4/5 or flex player on dynasty teams. I’ve seen NE and PIT rumored as well.

He is the epitome of what I call the “DRE,” or “dynasty roster eater.” He’s good enough to be on teams, but not someone you can rely on to play very often. These players tend to gum up rosters and prevent owners from taking much needed flyers on younger players.

That’s exactly what he did to me. I held him all season last year hoping for him to show some spark of what happened in 2012 and it just wasn’t there. A couple of times I could have pulled the trigger on another prospect WR or a few good Linebackers that I passed up. Needless to say he’s hitting the FA in our league as well as the NFL this year.

I’ve always felt Lance Moore is a very fine NFL player, but I dropped him after the 2010 season, when I realized how rarely I could start him.

From 2011-13, he’s had only four difference-making games (~20, 22, 22 & 27 pts). I’ll be generous and give him fifteen other serviceable fantasy games, which I’d guess averaged less than 14ppg. 60% DUDS + 35% bleh? You’d do better streaming off waivers each week.

Those sound like Non-PPR ponits – for PPR players (the best players :P_) hes been solid for most of his career, especially considering how up and down the Saints offense runs its fantasy players. Only last year was he a complete and utter dud. Now his value may very well be shot. He could have one season left, but it looks unlikely.

I wouldnt be concerned if I had Bell either. Just another washed up vet with too much use on his legs. MJD will be best used to spell Bell from time to time, not compete for touches. There’s not much to look forward to for MJD owners no matter where he lands. Last year was the most you’ll get out of him before he retires.

I went through the same thing with Turner 2 seasons ago! You’re expecting the “guy of old” but you get the “old guy” instead. I feel their pain, sometimes you just have to cut your losses and move on by finding a young player off waivers/trade.

Why hasn’t Carolina made some of these players offers? Is it just Cap issues? Are they going to hope they can Rebuild their WR core through the draft? Seems more than risky! If I was Cam I wouldn’t have agreed to a new deal until the had at least 2 pass catchers in house! I don’t even think they have ONE right now!

The Panthers do have cap issues. CAR has less than 10M to sign players, including their upcoming draft picks, so it appears unlikely they’d be willing to make any big additions at WR. Theyre prime candidates to bring in a top rookie WR or two, and maybe they’ll get a mediocre vet WR on the cheap to take a starting spot this year. Theyve shifted gears with their receiving corps.

I’m curious about Chris Johnson’s landing spot even though he’s not a F/A, he’ll be playing for another team for sure. It’s been said that NYJ, Oak, & Jax are the possible landing spots…UGH!!! He’d be better off restructuring his deal and staying in Tenn. I suppose he could thrive in NY? I definitely don’t want him in Oak. And Jax may not be too bad if they go with a rookie QB which = lots of carries. I guess Rex & Gus would run the ball quite a bit, but O-lines are a concern too.
P.S. Is Kirk Cousins going anywhere? Is it possible he gets traded on Draft Day? I know he’s not a F/A but there was talk of him being traded….anyone hear anything?

Theyre probably the only two players really worth tracking at this point in FA, given that that’ll likely shift a teams RB depth chart down a peg, with them the starter and curtailing value. Just gonna have to wait it out…

with the majority of rb needy teams filling there needs with free agence,,, does that say anything about the class of draftable rb coming out this year,, seems to me that a team in need of a rb could draft one if there is one or two worth the pick